Button cover adapter for jeans

ABSTRACT

This invention is a one piece detachable button cover adapter for converting a plain jean button into a more decorative one. This device is comprised of a substantially flat, circular disc with resilient prongs. An ornamental top is attached to the front side of this adapter and resilient prongs on the back side hold a jean button. The advantage of this invention is that it covers and securely holds a jean button whereas a typical button cover does not. Another novelty is that this adapter does not utilize a cup and/or hinge and therefore produces a more attractive, sleeker button cover that is easy to attach to and detach from a jean button.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/897,956, filed Jan. 29, 2007, by Teresa M. Suter, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed.

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,494, issued Mar. 14, 2000, by Duke; Susan (Stirling FK8 3QE Scotland, GB); Wood; Bruce (Glasgow, GB), included by reference herein.

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,951, issued Apr. 22, 1997, by Gould, included by reference herein.

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,285, issued Nov. 10, 1992, by Jerjian, included by reference herein.

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,731, issued Sep. 10, 1985, by Torrini, included by reference herein.

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,230, issued Sep. 26, 1967, by Darvie, included by reference herein.

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 2,577,723, issued Dec. 4, 1951, by Groh, included by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to jean button covers in particular and apparel button covers in general.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jean garments have become a staple of wardrobes of men, women, and children. In recent years, many individuals, especially women and young girls, have sought ways to personalize their jean garments by adding ornamentation. Available options include iron on decals; sew on emblems, glue on rhinestones and other embellishments. However, there are no existing options for changing the look of a jean garment by covering the original button with a more decorative one.

Ornamental detachable button covers have been in use for many years. While they are available in a number of different configurations, typical apparel button covers are designed to be used with standard sewn on buttons such as those found on blouses, shirts, cuffs, etc. Because jean buttons are not sewn on but are riveted to the fabric and have a shank, typical apparel button covers do not fit over a jean button. Typical apparel button covers are two-piece metal devices composed of a cup and some type of hinged back. The cup is designed to encase the button that is inserted into it and the hinged back is designed to secure the button in the device and onto the article of clothing. After repeated use, however, the hinged back of a typical button cover becomes bent out of shape therefore making it less secure. Additionally, typical detachable button covers are fabricated in such a way that when an ornamental component is affixed to the cup, the resulting device has a stacked, bulky appearance. Finally, typical detachable button covers are cumbersome to put on and take off.

Prior art discloses devices for covering buttons that utilize, in one form or another, a two part button cover. One part is a cup or cap component and the other is a hinged back plate designed to secure the device to the button to be covered. Additionally, these typical button covers are not designed to work with a jean button.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,494 issued Mar. 14, 2000, to Duke, discloses a button comprising two parts, a base for attachment to a garment, and a cover removably coupled to said base. This device is designed to be used with buttons that are sewn onto a garment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,951, issued Apr. 22, 1997 to Gould, discloses a Device for Covering and Concealing Buttons. This device is constructed of two parts also, a cup member and a hinged back plate with a keyhole shaped slit designed to better secure the button cover onto the button as compared with previous button covers. The back plate of this invention has two prongs that are received in frictional engagement in co-operating recesses in the main body and are designed to keep the button cover closed, and thus in place on a button. However, this invention is also designed for buttons that are sewn onto a garment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,285 issued Nov. 10, 1992 to Jerjian discloses a button cover that addresses safety issues related to inadvertent loss of the button cover during use. This device is also constructed of two components, a cup member and a hinged closure plate. One safety feature designs the direction of opening and closing of the button cover to be transverse to the direction of insertion about the button during use. While this added security is an enhancement of prior art, it still utilizes a hinged back plate that can become bent out of shape with repeated use. In addition, this device is also designed to work with apparel buttons fastened to a garment with threads.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,731 issued Sep. 10, 1985 to Torrini, discloses a button cover for use with a shirt cuff button. This button cover is formed in two parts, a button-covering member and a button-engaging member pivotally connected to one another.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,230 issued Sep. 26, 1967 to Darvie discloses a decorative covering part for a clothing button, a shirt cuff or blouse cuff button, or an ornamental element. This device comprises two parts, a base with a wall, and a forked member to engage a shirt or cuff button when the button is in a closed position.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,577,723, issued Dec. 4, 1951 to Groh discloses a detachable button cover comprising two parts also, a cover portion and a spring plate member.

It is an object of this invention to provide a one-piece detachable button cover adapter that works with jean buttons.

It is another object of this invention to provide a one-piece detachable button cover adapter that does not utilize a cup or hinge.

It is another object of this invention to provide a detachable button cover adapter that securely holds a jean button with resilient prongs that do not become bent out of shape with repeated use.

It is another object of the invention to provide a detachable button cover adapter that quickly and easily attaches to and detaches from a jean button.

It is another object of the invention to provide a detachable button cover adapter that is simple to use.

It is another object of the invention to provide a detachable button cover adapter that is simple to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel one-piece detachable button-cover adapter for use with jean buttons in particular and apparel buttons in general. This invention has a thin, substantially flat, metal circular disc that has a set of resilient prongs extending out and turning under the front side of the disc. These resilient prongs engage and securely hold a jean button that is inserted beneath them. One advantage of the present invention, with respect to a typical detachable button cover, is that this invention covers and securely holds a jean button whereas existing button covers do not. Another advantage of this button cover adapter is that, because it does not utilize a cup and hinge, it produces a more attractive button cover. Another advantage of the present invention is that it is easy to attach to and detach from a jean button. In addition, with the decorative component attached, this invention provides a way of easily changing the look of a jean garment by quickly changing the button.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an adapter without a decorative component attached;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the back view of an adapter;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an adapter without a decorative ornament attached;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an adapter assembled with a decorative component;

FIG. 5 is a back side view of an adapter engaging a jean button; and

FIG. 6 is a back side view of a disc with a rim around the perimeter.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This invention consists of a one-piece metal circular disc 10 that is substantially flat and slightly larger in diameter than that of a jean button 16 to be covered. The front facing side of the circular disc 10 is blank and the back side has a prong 12 positioned at opposite points on the perimeter. Each prong 12 extends from the front facing side of the circular disc 10 and curls under the front facing side in such a way that an angle to engage, hold, and retain a jean button 16 that is inserted under it is formed. Each prong 12 has a groove 13 to hold a jean button 16 in place. A decorative component 14 is affixed to the blank front facing side of the circular disc 10 by riveting, gluing, soldering, or other means. The circular disc 10 and prong 12 can be made from a variety of metals, both precious and non precious, or other materials. The decorative component 14 can be made from a variety of stones, gems, glass, metals, or any other decorative material.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of the adapter comprising a substantially flat one piece circular disc 10 composed of resilient metal, plastic, or other material. The diameter of the circular disc 10 is slightly larger than the diameter of the jean button 16 to be covered so that it covers and hides the jean button 16 once it is attached to it. This front facing side of the adapter is the side to which a decorative component 14 is affixed by gluing, riveting, soldering or other means.

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the back view of the adapter and is comprised of a circular disc 10 and a prong 12 at opposite points on the perimeter extending out from the front facing side of the circular disc 10 and turning under the circular disc 10 in such a way that they form a means for engaging and retaining a jean button 16 that is inserted. The prong 12 is configured with a groove 13 for holding the jean button 16 in place once the button is inserted.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the adapter illustrating the general shape of a prong 12 and the angle that is formed when a prong 12 is turned under the front facing side.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the assembled adapter showing a decorative component 14 affixed to the front facing side of the circular disc 10 and a prong 12 positioned at opposite points on the perimeter of the circular disc 10.

FIG. 5 is a view of the back side of the circular disc 10 illustrating a jean button 16 being inserted under and engaged by a prong 12 positioned at opposite points on the perimeter of the circular disc 10 and a groove 13 on each prong 12 that will hold the jean button 16 in place.

FIG. 6 is a view of an alternate embodiment in which the back side of the circular disc 10 has a rim 18 around the perimeter to add a decorative element around the jean button 16.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention can be manufactured with a number of alternate embodiments and/or features. A circular disc 10 could be comprised of alternate shapes and sizes to accommodate buttons of various shapes and sizes. Prong 12 can have a variety of configurations; they can be rolled inward, for example. A rim 18 or rolled edge extending around the perimeter of the circular disc 10 could be added on the back side to add a decorative element around the edge of the jean button 16. This invention can also be manufactured with more than two prong 12 placed around the perimeter on the back side. It can also be manufactured in two pieces joined together by gluing riveting, soldering or other means: the first piece comprising a circular disc 10 with or without a rim 18; the second piece comprising prong 12.

Operation:

This one piece button cover adapter for jeans is intended to have a decorative component 14 affixed to the front facing side by gluing, riveting, soldering or other means. Once the decorative component 14 is affixed, a user simply inserts the jean button 16 under the prong 12 until the jean button 16 is engaged and held in place by the groove 13 on the prong 12

To remove the jean button 16 from the device, the jean button 16 is pushed out from under the prong 12.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims. 

1. A button cover adapter for jeans for converting an ordinary jean button into a more decorative one, comprising: means for covering a jean button and affixing a decorative component; means for engaging and retaining a jean button; and means for holding a jean button in place.
 2. The button cover adapter for jeans in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for covering a jean button and affixing a decorative component comprises a circular disc.
 3. The button cover adapter for jeans in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for engaging and retaining a jean button comprises a resilient, grooved prong.
 4. The button cover adapter for jeans in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for holding a jean button in place comprises a groove.
 5. A button cover adapter for jeans for converting an ordinary jean button into a more decorative one, comprising: a circular disc, for covering a jean button and affixing a decorative component; a resilient, grooved prong, for engaging and retaining a jean button; and a groove, for holding a jean button in place.
 6. The button cover adapter for jeans as recited in claim 5, further comprising: a rim, for adding decoration around the edge of the jean button.
 7. A button cover adapter for jeans for converting an ordinary jean button into a more decorative one, comprising: a circular disc, for covering a jean button and affixing a decorative component; a resilient, grooved prong, for engaging and retaining a jean button; a groove, for holding a jean button in place; and a rim, for adding decoration around the edge of the jean button. 